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Home Care in Aurora, IL: April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, Learn How Home Care Can Help!
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is just like a group of disorders called motor system disorders, which are the result of the decrease in dopamine-producing brain cells.
The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or weakened balance and coordination.
As these warning signs become more definite, patients may have difficulties walking, talking, or completing other simple chores.
Parkinson’s disease usually impacts people over the age of 50. Initial problems of PD are faint and occur steadily. In some people the disease advances more rapidly than in others.
As the disease advances, the shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of PD patients may begin to hamper with day to day activities. Other indicators may include depression and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions.
There are at the moment no blood or laboratory tests that have been proved to support in diagnosing sporadic Parkinson’s disease. As a result the diagnosis is based on medical history and a neurological examination.
The disease can be tricky to diagnose properly. Medical professionals may occasionally get brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.
Is there any treatment?
At present, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications give remarkable comfort from the indicators.
Elder Care and Treatment
In early stages, Parkinson’s disease may not drastically interrupt your life. But for plenty of people, the disease becomes more disabling over time. Elder Care can aid patients as they become adjusted, and as the disease advances. This of course, assists them to stay independent for as long as possible. The quality of their life may rely in part on their ability to keep on working, take care of a home, care for their family, and remain independent. They may want adaptive devices such as canes or walkers as the disease takes its toll.
Elements of Home Care that are significant for a person with Parkinson’s Disease include:
• Changing their activities and their family home, including streamlining their day to day activities and modifying the location of furniture so that they can hold something as they move about the house.
• Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.
• Exercising and doing physical therapy, which has benefits in both early and advanced stages of the illness.
• Dealing with tremor, which may include putting a little weight on the hand to help reduce tremor and restore control.
• Improving speech quality by working with a speech therapist (also called a speech-language pathologist).
• Reducing problems with eating and drooling by changing how and what they eat.
• Dealing with “freezing” by various means, such as stepping towards a specific target on the ground.
• Dealing with depression. If they are feeling sad or depressed, ask a friend or family member for help. If these feelings don’t go away, or if they get worse, talk to their doctor. He or she may be able to suggest someone for you to talk to or give them medicine that will help.
• Dealing with dementia. Dementia is common late in Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms may include confusion and memory loss. If a family member notices that they are confused a lot or have trouble thinking clearly, talk to their doctor. There are medicines that can help dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Home Care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Aurora.
Home Care in Oswego, IL Tip: Occupational Therapy Permits Seniors in Oswego to Live Life to It’s Fullest
Occupational therapy empowers men and women of all ages to live life to its fullest by supporting them to encourage health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice that revolves around science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and established over time.
If a senior in your life is receiving home care services, you might also consider asking their physician about Occupational Therapy services that are often covered by Medicare.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the man or woman. It is occupational therapy’s purpose to get way beyond difficulties to the alternatives that promise living life to its fullest. These remedies may be variations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or assisting folks to modify their own behaviors.
When working with an occupational therapy practitioner, procedures and adjustments are tailor-made for each particular person to resolve problems, increase function, and aid everyday living tasks. The goal is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic tactics, occupational therapy aids folks design their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their environments (e,g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and regimes that will let them to flourish.
By taking the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:
• Achieve goals
• Perform at the best level
• Emphasis on what matters most to them
• Maintain or rebuild their self-sufficiency
• Participate in daily interests that they need or want to do.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Oswego.
Elder Care in Naperville, IL: Preparation for Spring Allergies
For many, spring represents the budding of flowers and longer days filled with warm sunshine. But for one in five people, spring also means allergies are in full scope.
Seasonal allergies, also termed allergic rhinitis, cause cold-like characteristics and symptoms which include itchiness in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes and ears, along with watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. But different from a cold, allergies are note precipitated by a virus; they are triggered by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as mold, trees, pollen and pet dander.
Allergies, which have an effect on an estimated 60 million people in the United States both young and old, can truly have its effects on your daily regimen, and they are a problem both in daily life and professionally. Regardless of whether you’re bothered all year or during a specific season, learning how to cope with allergy symptoms can be very important to reestablishing your relaxation and quality of life.
This ailment can also be expensive to take care of. From 2000 to 2005, the cost of treating allergic rhinitis nearly doubled from $6.1 billion to $11.2 billion, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Over fifty percent of that was expended on prescription and over-the-counter medications. Many experts recommend patients purchase store-brand, over-the-counter medicines as a useful means of controlling both the allergy problem and its included expenses.
“There are a number of very effective over-the-counter treatments to address the symptoms of seasonal allergies,” says Dr. William Berger, professor of allergy and immunology at the University of California, Irvine. “In fact, to help patients save money, I would recommend many of the store-brand, non-sedating antihistamines sold at leading retailers and pharmacies, such as Cetirizine or Loratadine. These products are approved by the FDA, but cost significantly less than the brand names.”
According to Berger, numerous allergy sufferers should find much better relief of their symptoms by attempting one of these newer, more practical treatments now obtainable in the aisle, like Fexofenadine, which just switched from prescription to over-the-counter in 2011.
“Effective management with medicines, ideally before the allergy symptoms start, is key,” he says.
When an aging loved one must have elder care, understand of the interactions between over-the-counter medications and the elderly person’s prescription drugs.
You may think that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are always safe and sound. But if you are over 65 and in addition taking prescription medications, this kind of thought can get you into some difficulty.
“The average number of prescription medications taken by people over 65 is five or six,” says Michael H. Perskin, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and an internist at the New York University Langone Medical Center. “As you get older, it increases and so does the potential for drug interactions.”
So how can you find effective and risk-free remedy from arthritis and other pain, and cold or allergy symptoms? “When in doubt, ask your pharmacist,” Perskin says. “If you have taken the medication before, it’s probably OK. But if it’s new or your other medication regimen has changed, check it out.”
Elder care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Elder Care in Naperville.
Home Care Naperville IL: Video- Should Your Aging Relative Live Alone?
Video: The Cost of Home Care in Naperville, Oswego, and Aurora IL
Home Care in Aurora, IL: Help Older Drivers by Supplying Transportation
Recent studies have confirmed that older drivers are much more likely than any other drivers to be in car accidents.
A few states are now requiring driving tests for older people or for men and women who have been in three or more wrecks in one year, mandatory. This is because older drivers are more prone to either being injured or killed. Statistics show, the elderly are more often in hazardous or fatal wrecks than any other ages. The only sensible way to efficiently ensure that the unsafe drivers are off the roads is for them to be obligated to take a test to see who should and who shouldn’t be driving. A few see this as inequity, while other folks see it as a reassurance and a way to know that their loved one will be safe while on the road. Many people, especially those with older family members, are already mindful of the probable dangers.
A great option for keeping your aging parent or loved one safe is to use a Home care agency that provides transportation. Home care agencies not only supply transportation but more to the point they provide the prospect for men and women to keep their independence. This also avoids seclusion and assists them to continue to get around to their own doctor appointments as well as run their own errands.
You will discover a number of different ways to find out how to get assistance in your community. Call your local Area Agency on Aging. If they do not offer transportation, they can help you find more information in order to find someone who does. There are also door-to-door services in most areas and driver volunteers. The door-to-door service do require you to call and give them notice on what your plans are but this may offer the most overall flexibility.
However, if you are interested in paying a fee for each designated stop you should ask about a fixed route. The fees charged are discounted at senior citizen rates and in some cases are actually free. The option available with driver volunteers usually is a great option for people who need to be taken to a specific place at certain times such as doctor appointments or senior centers. For more information you can call the National Transit Hotline Toll Free at 1-800-527-8279, they can provide you with a list of local Home care agencies that can help you find the right alternative to fit your specific needs.
Home care in Aurora counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home care in Aurora.
Employing Caregivers in Darien, IL Could Prevent Falls and Keep Seniors Safe in Their Own Homes
When a loved one cannot move through their own home safely, it may be the perfect time to employ a caregiver. They can offer safety, ease, company and dependability, all from the comforts of the seniors own family home. This can also reduce any stress and anxiety the rest of the family may be feeling. Here are some positive aspects to selecting a caregiver.
Caregivers employed through an agency are pre-trained, screened and in case they call in sick, a back-up will be available to fill in. They are trained to be alert of possible hazards and safety concerns in regards to medication, falls and aid in daily activities.
Identifying would-be hazards is vital and ought to be at the top of the list when it comes to senior care. A caregiver should be able to check on the care recipient daily to make sure everything is in order and if there are any medications that need to be taken, it’s done so promptly. They will also have the capacity to ensure that there aren’t any fallen objects or tripping risks lying around the house that could cause a safety challenge. CPR and first aid is also a requirement for a caregiver in this field and will be an asset in case an emergency comes up.
Accomplishing daily chores can become a complicated deed for some seniors. Things like changing light bulbs, getting the mail in icy weather, grocery shopping, cleaning, and meal preparation can all be difficult. Appointing the suitable companion will give the care recipient and the family peace of mind that they can still live in their own residence, yet have guidance in carrying out these activities that they can now not do on their own.
A companion will also be able to support in personal care needs. These may include toilet help, bathing, dressing and aiding in their mobility. Caregivers can also provide companionship to seniors living independently. It’s easy to be doing the easiest of chores and have an accident. By having a companion provide continual daily care, the care receiver will feel relaxed and feel less anxiety knowing that someone is caring for their best interests and making them their top priority.
Companions are trained and know precisely what to look for and take care of to make sure your loved ones are safe, secure and provided with only the best care.
Caregivers in Darien, IL at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Darien.
The Advantages of Medication Reminders from a Home Care Service in Oswego, IL
With a Home care agency, knowing when to take medications on time will be a lot easier–to say the least. This is because a Home care agency will provide you with the basics to do what is necessary, concerning your medications. One of the essentials that you will get is a caregiver, and although your helper will be
unable to administer your medications for you, he or she will be there to remind you to consume them on-time, as well as to assist you if you need help. Additionally, your personal aid will be there to help you keep track of your medications by making note of what you took and when you took it, ensuring that you are following your physician’s orders and that you are not taking too little or overdosing.
True, your caregiver will not be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but that is fine. It is possible to acquire your scheduled medication reminders through an automated system, which is a phone call that will be made at preset times. This means that you do not have to stress about being hounded with calls throughout the day, and you do not have to worry about carrying on a conversation when the calls are made, considering that the calls will not be made by a live representative. Instead, the computerized voice can either tell you your medications or ask you if you are feeling well. If the answer is yes, you will be instructed to push number one; if the answer is no, you will be instructed to push number two.
In addition to getting medication reminders and phone calls on how you are feeling; you are going to receive the amount of care that is needed to keep you healthy and alert. For this reason, you can rest comfortably at night, knowing that your medications are taken and that you are being cared for.
Home care in Oswego, IL counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Oswego.
Home Care in Aurora, IL: Agencies Make Available Light Meal Preparation, Keeping Seniors Healthy
Our elderly folks are the foundation of our community, and anyone who has an elderly grandparent or parent can understand that caring for them can be problematic from time to time at the very least. There is a specific stage in our lives that we will all get to when caring for ourselves can become a task. Often times senior citizens can become absent-minded, can’t see well, or perhaps they don’t have the kind of mobility they once had in their younger years. Whatever the reason many times older adults realize that they are in a position where they do not get right nutrients through the day.
For the elderly this can be unhealthy, as it could because low blood sugars, low blood pressure, fainting, and falls. Home care for our aging family members is one of the most beneficial ways to handle these matters. Home care can provide your loved ones support with light meal preparation, always being careful to make adjustments for each individuals specific nutritional requirements. Often the elderly may have difficulty swallowing, therefore home care agencies even provide them with texture modified diets or thickened liquids to assist them in consuming their food.
Home care is a good selection, as it allows the senior person to live in their own household and get care, helping them to sustain a feeling of dignity and independence. Home care also provides them experienced supervised support, as well the benefit of having some extra caregivers around once in a while. A lot of home care in-home care workers form lasting relationships with their patrons.
In some cases, the senior may very well have to accept not being capable to feed themselves. This can be an extremely difficult as an adult, because feeding yourself is one of the most ingrained functions that we have. Home care providers understand that feeling of loss of independence. Home care (aides can also help with grocery shopping and meal planning, if there is a need for it. That’s why home care providers take the time, and give extra effort for making mealtime very special. No matter what the good reason why a senior may need home care, whether they are disabled or elderly a nice home care agency provides answers to some of the most challenging situations a senior has to contend with.
Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Aurora.
